Eighth Innings

Timp Sports Weekly
August 4, 2009

Publisher's Message

In high school-level baseball, eight-inning games carry a lot of excitement. That was the case in two of the stories covered in this issue. One of those games involved the American Fork Cavemen and the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings. The other eight-inning game was the Varsity League championship game between the Lehi Pioneers and the Wasatch Wasps, AKA the Bugs. Another baseball story that we will look is a playoff game that saw the Timpanogos Timberwolves, AKA T-Pups, drained Lehi by 10 runs. Let's get to those games.

Dean Von Memmott
Publisher
deanmemmott@hotmail.com


Ferocious PG Vikings Win 10-9 over AF Cavebatters in UBAL Playoff Game
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

It took the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings eight innings to take down the American Fork Cavemen 10-9 in an opening-round, playoff game for the Utah Baseball Academy League's 17-under division pennant.

Played on Viking Field July 27, the game showed the two teams' desire to make up for their having to miss the regular high school state tournament this year.

During the top of the first, Viking center fielder Stephen Rockhill picked off fly balls hit by Kyle Hall and Ben Beddes. Rockhill's catches helped Pleasant Grove neutralize impacts from singles that Cavemen Jeremy Reynolds and Colton Dunn whacked out into left. Viking pitcher Mitch Dahl struck out Tyler "Flint" Flinders to hold the Cavemen scoreless.

A "cousin" of Hank Hill of King of the Hill fame, pitcher Aaron Hill, in the bottom of the first, caused Bo Caldwell to fly out to left fielder Taylor Tonks and Calder "Blue" Bonnett to ground out to second baseman Flinders. Though Hill walked Colby Croft, a throw from catcher Colt "Fig" Whatcott to Flinders grounded the Viking out.

Viking third baseman Broc Starr began the top of the second with grounding out Ryan Draper. In response, Whatcott drilled a single deep into left, and he stole second. A Tonks double scored him. After Nate Robinson got beaned by a Dahl pitcher, Hall doubled in two runs. Reynolds hit a double himself, and catcher Croft tagged Tonks while the Caveman tried coming home on that hit. With Dahl grounding out Beddes, the Vikings attempted to stage a rally in the bottom of the second. Despite Ryland Peterson hitting a two-out single that inning, center fielder Hall picked off a Dahl fly ball to hold the Vikings scoreless.

Pleasant Grove didn't let American Fork put any runners on base during the top of the third. This feat quickly tipped the game to the Vikings' favor. Hit by Terry Cardon, a right-field double spurred Pleasant Grove into loading the bases on one out. Bonnett singled in Cardon and Rhett Rickanbach to start a five-run rally. Croft homered in three runs, putting the Vikings ahead 5-3.

The Cavemen didn't stay behind during the top of the fourth. Singles from Tonks and Whatchott permited a Hall, sacrifice groundout scored a run. Beddes singled Tonks in to tie the game at five.

Taking over at the mound during the bottom of the fourth, Dunn struck out Cardon, only to give up a double to Whitely and a single to Rickanback. Dunn soon picked Whiteley off at third, but the pick-off play couldn't keep the Vikings from rowing ahead. Caldwell hit a one-run single to put the Vikings ahead 6-5.

After Dahl had held American Fork scoreless in the top of the fifth, Dunn remained a tough pitcher for the Vikings to handle. The inning's lower half opened with the reliever striking out Rockhill and grounding out Peterson. Dahl hit a left-field double off Dunn, and Cardon hit an infield single that gave the Vikings expectations of scoring further runs in the fifth. Those expectations proved to be false, for Dunn picked Cardon off at first.

Doubling at the start of the sixth, Tonks soon came home on Hall's one-out double to tie the game at six. Dunn singled Hall in to tip American Fork ahead 7-6.

American Fork's new lead couldn't survive the sixth. In the bottom of it, Bonnett hit a two-run double, then stole home, putting the Vikings ahead 9-7.

With the seventh opening on a Draper single, the Cavemen quickly found themselves in deeper trouble as they saw Whatcott and Tonks both fly out. Left-field singles from Hall and Robinson permitted American Fork to load the bases. A Reynolds walk and a Beddes single each reeled in a run, tying the game at nine. Dahl struck out Dunn before the Cavemen could pull ahead. Dunn fanned two of the three batters that the Vikings sent against him in the bottom of the seventh.

After all the trouble the Cavemen had gone through to force an eighth inning, they saw their comeback efforts collapse through three quick outs. Walked by reliever Tonks in the bottom of the eighth, Jesse De St. Jour soon got moved to third by Caldwell's center-field single. Cort Iorg singled De St. Jour in for the winning run.

The Pleasant Grove won three more game at home, earning a right to play the Spanish Fork Dons in a semifinal at Spanish Fork's Don Swenson Field August 3. The Dons had a gay time in taking down the Vikings 5-1. Spanish Fork Coach Burt Reynolds said, "Hayden Nelson didn't give up many hits as he threw all seven innings for us. We had good defense and timely hits. We got doubles from Jim Lingle and Andy Perkins. We had a third-to-first double play that ended an inning."

T-Pups Finish Summer Baseball Season With 12-2 Win Over Lehi
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

The Utah Baseball Academy League playoffs weren't the only post-season, summer high school baseball tournaments being played last week. The Varsity League had its own post-season tournament, also.

The first two days of it involved pool play. In the first day of their pool, the Lehi Pioneers washed away the Westlake Thunder, AKA the Shockers, and the Salem Hills Skyhawks, AKA Sky Tweeties, in games at Pioneer Field July 27. However, in Orem on July 28, the Timpanogos Timberwolves, alias the T-Pups, dried up Lehi 16-6. Because the Pioneers had scored more runs in pool play than Timpanogos did, the T-Pups couldn't go on to the championship game, which got played at Pioneer Field July 29. Still, the win did give Kim Nelson, the T-Pups' head coach some satisfaction.

Nelson said, "We had not been scoring very much in the tournament. Today, we did make a lot of runs, though. Our first pitcher threw very well in the first four innings. The key for us today were our hitting and scoring."

Timpanogos pitcher Dave McAllister held the Pioneers scoreless during the first three innings. In the meantime, the T-Pups took a 5-0 lead in the first two innings. McAllister opened the game's scoring by hitting a one-run single in the bottom of the first. A Jason Fullmer sacrifice groundout scored J.D. Ashman.

Timpanogos' 2-0 lead came under a serious threat in the top of the second when Pioneer Rem Worthen doubled into left and teammate Trevor Jeppson singled into left. Third baseman Kallin Ashby turned up a double play that set Lehi's scoring efforts back until the fourth.

Ashby singled in Brooks Folwer, and a Pioneer error let two T-Pups race home, putting the lead at 5-0.

Lehi pitcher T.J. Russon held Timpanogos scoreless in the third. Walked by McAllister in the top of the fourth, Bronson Anderson soon scored the first Lehi run on an error.

One-run singles hit by T.J. Beveridge and Tyler Hamilton stretched the Timpanogos lead to 7-1, causing Russon to be replaced by Justin Higgins at the mound. Third baseman Jeppson's catch of a Fullmer fly ball delayed the Timberpups from putting the game way that inning.

Singling into left at the start of the fifth, Pioneer Kaidyn Longman came home on Palmer Page's two-out single. McAllister didn't let the Pioneers gain anything from Page's RBI. The pitcher grounded out Worthen.

The T-Pups loaded the bases on no outs in the bottom of the fifth. Beveridge cleared the bases with a double he hit into left. He attempted to turn his hit into a triple, but Jeppson tagged him while the Timberwolf was sliding into base.

The Pioneers finally got a rally going in the sixth, which opened with a Jeppson single hit into left. T.J. Griffith singled Jeppson in to start a four-run rally. After a Higgins single had scored Griffith, Russon hit a two-run triple, causing McAllister to be replaced at the mound by Beveridge. The reliever struck out Page, then snatched an Anderson pop fly, ending the rally.

On one out in the bottom of the sixth, Fullmer singled in McAllister to open the five-run rally that knocked Lehi out. During the rally, the Timberwolves soon loaded bases. This permitted a McAllister walk to score the game-ending run.

Wasatch Wasps Buzz Past Lehi 8-6 In 8-Inning, Title Game July 29
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

Played at Lehi's Pioneer Field July 29, the Varsity League championship game lived up to its name as it saw the Lehi Pioneers and Wasatch Wasps, AKA the Bugs, battle for eight innings for the privilege to finish the season as the league's first champ. The contest ended with Wasatch winning 8-6.

Wasatch Coach Mike Shoell said, "We never gave up in this game. It gave us the kind of experience needed for next spring. All summer, we've played both 4-A and 5-A teams, and we did well against them. This will help us a lot in our 3-A league and state tournament next year."

Shoell is a longtime, familiar figure in the Utah Valley sports scene. He was an assistant baseball coach at Pleasant Grove when Jon Hoover mentored the Ferocious Vikings. Shoell was also the head coach for the Lone Peak Knights, AKA the Loners, and the American Fork Cavemen. So, he felt quite at home while his Wasps played on the Pioneer diamond.

Through a Trevor Bammy single, the Wasps loaded the bases on one out in the top of the first. A Curtis Duke walk scored Shane Richins. Pitcher Tyson Bringhurst kept the Wasps from carrying out a stinging rally by delivering a throw to catcher Rem Worthen to force Bammy out and catching a Nate Thompson pop fly.

Despite T.J. Russon slugging a single in the bottom of the first, pitcher Payton Davis held the Pioneers scoreless in the first two innings. With Wasatch unable to pick up a second run in the second and third innings, the Pioneers took control of the lead in the bottom of the third. Singles from Russon and Palmer Page set the stage for the takeover. A Bronson Anderson sacrifice groundout scored Russon, and Trevor Jeppson singled Page in for the go-ahead run.

Two fourth-inning, Lehi errors permitted the Wasps to walk ahead during the top of the fourth. The first mistake resulted in Wasatch loading the bases on one out. The next error let Thompson come home, starting a four-run rally, which saw the Wasps score three straight runs on walks.

Walked by Davis in the fifth, Anderson came home on a Jeppson single, and Lehi soon loaded the bases on two outs. An infield error let Worthen and Jeppson race home, cutting the lead to 6-5.

Lehi held Wasatch scoreless in the sixth, and in the bottom of that inning, Russon stole home to force the game into an eighth inning.

With Richins getting on base through an eighth-inning walk, Bammy singled him, then came came home on a Davis single. After having regained the lead, the Wasps didn't let the Pioneers put any runners on base during the bottom of the eighth.

Lehi acting head coach Pat Day said, "We battled hard and didn't quit, even though they were ahead of us 6-2 at one point. We scored four runs that forced the extra inning. We made a couple of little errors that hurt us tonight."

League Finales and Playoff Action

Timp Sports Weekly
July 28, 2009

Publisher's Message

This week's issue looks at final league games of the high school summer baseball season and a Utah Baseball Academy League post-season tournament contest. These duels remind us that the high school fall sports season is only a month away. Let's get to the stories of some of the final summer league baseball games played last week.

Dean Von Memmott
Publisher
deanmemmott@hotmail.com

PG Pitcher Ends Summer Baseball Season With Great Performance in Ferocious Vikes' 6-1 Win Over Brighton Bengals
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

A pitcher finished his summer baseball season July 25 with a great performance that allowed the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings to take a 6-1 win at home against the Brighton Bengals, AKA the Bad Ol' Puddy Tats, during second- round action in the playoffs for the state pennant in the Utah Baseball Academy League's 16-under division.

Scheduled to take a trip during the final week of this July, Ferocious Pleasant Grove Viking Tyler Harmon struck out 10 Brighton batters and gave up three hits to the Bengals. Viking Coach Nick Starr said, "This was one of Tyler's best games this summer."

The coach added that Pleasant Grove had "a lot of young players come out today to help us, including two sophomores who had made great hits into the outfield. We also had good fielding today."

Harmon set the tone of his performance during the top of the first. That inning, he struck out B.J. Burrola and Chase Howell, then caused Nick Marz to ground out to shortstop Jesse De St. Jour, keeping Brighton from putting any players on base.

Those Bad Ol' Puddy Tats quickly got even with the Vikings. Third baseman Matt Calaman grounded out two of the three Pleasant Grove players who batted in the first.

The second inning's top half went down as a big test for Harmon. Bengals Cole Butcher and Zane Smith each singled off him, and the pitcher walked Calaman to load the bases. A Conner Weston walk scored Butcher. Just as Brighton commenced anticipating a long scoring rally in the second, Harmon shocked the Bengals by striking out the three straight following hitters: Alec Olsen, Ian Fehlaurer, and Jon Whipple.

Broc Starr opened the bottom of the second by singling into left to pose a strong threat to the Bengals' 1-0 lead. Catching a Harmon pop fly, second baseman turned up a double play that ensnared Starr. Despite Zach Hicken doubling into left, right fielder Fehlauer snatched a Rylee Erickson fly ball.

Even though Butcher's second straight single moved Marz into scoring position in the top of the third on two outs, Harmon struck out Smith to keep Brighton's lead restricted to 1-0.

With Parker Bullock slapping a left-field single in the bottom of the third, the Vikings proceeded to yank the momentum from the Bengals' paws. After De St. Jour got on base through a walk, Courtney Iorg doubled him and Bullock in. A Ryland Peterson's triple almost allowed Pleasant Grove to score a run him. Brighton didn't let the Vikings make a third run in the inning.

During the last four innings of the game, the Bengals would place men on base through the last four innings of the game, only to see them become stranded their. Also, the Vikings would not let any Bengals come home.

Despite a single from Harmon in the fifth, the Vikings could not pick up additional runs until the sixth. That inning, Viking Riley Erickson hit a single off singled off Brighton's pitcher. Bullock singled off Erickson to conclulde the game's scoring. In the top of the seventh, Harmon struck two of the three the batters who the Bengals had sent against him, and second baseman Irog grounded out Alec Olsen, shattering Brighton's last chances for a comeback rally.

Lehi Outlasts Mountain View Teddy Bears 8-6 in Varsity League Regular Season Finale
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a Varsity League finale at Mountain View July 22, the Lehi Pioneers managed to pull out an 8-6 win over the Mountain View Bruins, AKA the Teddy Bears and T-Bears.

Lehi Coach Jason Flinders said, "We had a lot of good hits, including fly ball into deep holes. Our pitchers threw a lot of strikes that kept Mountain View in check. This game was a swell way to finish the regular season. We're going to begin playoff action with a double header at our place Monday. We'll finish pool play at Timpanogos on Tuesday."

Mountain View led 1-0 during the first three innings of the game. In the bottom of the first, Derek "Speedy" Gonzales scored the night's first run on a Big Tim Hendricksen single.

The fourth began with Pioneer Hunter Houghton singled into right. The Pioneer attempted to extend his hit into a double, but he got tossed out at second. The setback couldn't prevent Lehi from grabbing the momentum. Spurred on by a T.J. Russon single and a Bronson Anderson double, Tyson Bringhurst singled in a tying run. Rem Worthen singled in Anderson to send Lehi rowing ahead 2-1.

On two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Taylor Storey singled into left, and a Todd Hadderly single moved him to third for a chance at making the tying run. That opportunity vanished through Lehi putting Hadderly out at second.

Getting on base through a walk during the start of the fifth, Kadynn Longman got doubled in by Andy Paul during one out. Justin Higgins tripled in Paul, but became stranded at third base as he witnessed Hunter Houghton and Russon both ground out.

Singles from Garrick "Bearcat" Garfield and Brandon "Marksman" Bingham spurred the Bruins into rallying back in the bottom of the fifth. Hunter Westwood singled in Garfield, and a Dusty Thacker two-run single evened the game at four. Thacker attempted to steal second, but the Pioneers pinched him in a putout play at that base.

Relieving Hendricksen at the mound in the top of the sixth, Garfield opened his performance by striking out Anderson. The strikeout didn't faze Lehi any. Garfield walked Bringhurst and gave up a single to Worthen. These actions quickly came back to haunt Mountain View. Trevor Jeppson doubled in Bringhurst to snip the tie. Longman's one-run single improved Lehi's lead at 6-4.

Singling in the bottom of the sixth, Gonzales soon came home on a Hendricksen double. During two outs, Hendricksen scored a tying run on a Pioneer throwing error. A Hadderly double gave the Bruins another chance to regain the lead. A stiff Lehi defense kept the score tied at six at the end of the sixth.

Becoming suddenly shouldered with two outs in the top of the seventh, the Pioneers held up under the stress of the inning. Anderson hit a tie-breaking double, and Bringhurst doubled him in for the last Lehi run of the night.

Mountain View attempted to capitalize on Timmy Jenkins' two-out single in the bottom of the seventh, but pitcher Jeppson struck Thacker out to end the game.

AF Cavebatters Ends Scout League Season With 22-2 Win At Hillcrest July 20
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

Although they had lost their chances for post-season play, the American Fork Cavemen displayed much firepower as they won 22-2 during a Scout League finale on the home baseball diamond of the Hillcrest Huskies, AKA the Puppies.

No relation to Hank Hill of King of the Hill fame, Caveman Kade Hill singled off pitcher Kade Chatwin in the top of the first. On one out, Hill came home on a passed ball to spark a five-run rally for American Fork. After Danny Bettis' two-run double had climaxed the rally, Hillcrest shut it down.

Pitcher Blake Brailsford kept the Huskies from gaining anything from a run that Chatwin made on a passed ball during the bottom of the first.

The Cavemen didn't rest of their 5-1 lead in the top of the second. Kyle Russick doubled in two runs and Brailsford tripled in another two to power an eight-run rally for the Cavemen that inning.

Even though Hillcrest held American Fork scoreless in the third, the Cavemen came back strong in the fourth inning. A one-run, Brailsford single sparked a nine-run rally for the Cavemen. During the scoring run, Russick tripled in three runs, and Hill contributed a two-run triple to the the winning cause.

Doubling in the bottom of the fourth, Swift Dirk scored the second and last Hillcrest run on a passed ball.

Ferocious PG Vikings Sink Bonneville Lakers 11-1 in UBAL Game July 19
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In Utah Baseball Academy League action at Viking Field July 19, the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings sank the Bonneville Lakers, AKA the Barnacles, 11-1 to secure homefield advantage in this week's playoffs for the league's 17-under division pennant.

Pleasant Grove Viking Brian Belliston said, "Our pitching was really good tonight. It made it easy for us to get the game over in six innings."

For the top of the first, Viking pitcher Bo Caldwell struck out Dylan Wold while causing another two Lakers to fly out. In the bottom of the first, pitcher Sammy Hall gave up a single to leadoff batter Caldwell, but struck out the next three Viking hitters.

Though Preston Stawski singled off Caldwell at the start of the second, Caldwell fanned three straight Lakers. The Viking pitcher went on to post 10 strikeouts for the night.

On one out in the bottom of the second, Mitch Dahl singled into left, and Rhett Rickanback singled him in. A Tyler Whitely double moved Rickanbach to third, and he scored on Terry Cardon's sacrifice groundout.

With Caldwell and Ryland Peterson singling in the bottom of the third, Steve Rockhill hit a one-run single to lengthen the lead at 3-0.

Singling into center in the top of the third, Wold soon scored on a Stawski sacrifice fly. That run turned out to be the only one that Bonneville could make that evening, although the Lakers did get a double from Jack Hall in the sixth.

Picking up two runs on a fifth-inning, passed ball Pleasant Grove went on four-run rally, fueled by one-run singles from Rickanbach and Whitely. The Vikings went on another four-run rally in the sixth. A Rockhill, two-run single ended the game.

Cottonwood Colts Win 8-2 over PG's 15-Under Division Team July 19
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

Alias the Ponies, the Cottonwood Colts won 8-2 on the home field of the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings during a July 19 game for the Utah Baseball Academy League's 15-under division.

Jake Pennington spurred Cottonwood on to win the game through hitting a double and a single. Lorenzo Stansfield contributed two single to the winning cause.

Pleasant Grove's Jesse Smith hit a triple and scored a run. Scoring the other Pleasant Grove run, Brannon Carter chipped in a single. Parker Bullock, Jake Barnhart, and Matt Larson each slugged a single for the Vikings.

Their season ended with a post-season playoff loss at Cottonwood July 24.

Cavemen-Vikings

Timp Sports Weekly
June 22, 2009

Publisher's Message

The two main subjects for this week's issue are the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings and the American Fork Cavemen. Four stories will look at how both groups fared in summertime baseball last week. The Vikings did well while the Cavemen had dropped into a slump. Let's get to those stories. There is also an essay on how news stories can be completely personal to someone when they involve people he knows.

Dean Von Memmott
Publisher
deanmemmott@hotmail.com

Ferocious PG Vikings' 16-Under Baseball Team Skin Woodscross Wild Kittens 23-0
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In its last away game for the regular season, the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings' 16-under team went up to Davis County July 18 and posted a 23-0 win during a Utah Baseball Academy League action on the diamond of the Woodcross Wildcats, AKA the Wild Kittens.

Taking a 9-0 lead into the fourth inning, the Vikings delivered the knockout punch when they went on a 14-run rally, which caused Woodscross to go through three pitchers. During the rally, Riley Erickson and Zach Hicken hit a two-run triple.

When the Wildcats finally took their turn at bat during the bottom of the fourth, they lasted only four batters as reliever Jesse De St. Jour posted three straight strikeouts after walking the first Wildcat pitted against him in the inning.

In the fifth, Woodcross didn't let any Vikings get on base. The bottom of the fifth saw Jake Kocherans single off reliever Drew Velez. Kocherans posted two singles for the day, but his going 2-3 at the plate couldn't bring the Wildcats much consolation.

Pleasant Grove's leadoff batter, Ryland Peterson, scored the morning's first run in the top of the first. The next inning, Broc Starr homered in three runs to spark a six-run rally for the Vikings. They picked up another two runs in the third.

While Peterson and Payton Peters each slugged two singles for the Vikings, Jordan King and Tyler Harmon both contributed a double to the winning case.

Pleasant Grove Coach Bob King said, "We threw three pitchers today. We had Tyler Harmon throw the firs three innings. De St. Jour threw in the fourth, and Velez was our closer. We play Alta at home this Tuesday for our last league game. We will then play in the state tournament."

Ferocious Vikes Belt AF Cavebatters 7-3 in July 13 Game
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In July 13 game for the Utah Baseball Academy League's 17-under division, the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings won 7-3 at home over the American Fork Cavemen.

The game opened with Viking right fielder Bo Caldwell picking off a Tyler Flinders fly ball. As second baseman Tyler Whitley and third baseman Broc Starr grounded out Jeremy Reynolds and Jake Blackhurst respectively, Pleasant Grove looked as though it was strongly determined to avenge the recent 4-0 loss that the Cavemen had served to them.

With Caveman right fielder Morgan "Mo" Flinders catching a Caldwell fly ball in the bottom of the first, American Fork proceeded to have the inning end in a scoreless deadlocked. Throws from second baseman Kai Clayton and third baseman Reynolds grounded out Ryland Peterson and Calder Bonnett, delaying the Vikings from scoring first.

On two outs in the top of the second, Caveman Colton "Fig" Whatcott singled off pitcher Mitch Dahl. The Caveman then tried stealing second, but catcher Peterson's throw to Whitley put Whatcott out.

The bottom of the second opened with Broc Starr tripling into center. Steven Rockhill tripled him in, then came home on a passed ball. Despite giving up a one-out double to Dahl, pitcher Taylor Tonks struck Terry Cardon and Drew Velez, keeping the Viking lead stuck at 2-0.

After the third inning had opened with Dahl striking out Kyle Wright and Nick Searle, Mo Flinders got on base through an error, Scotty Andrus, actress Ursula Andrus' "distant cousin," singled Flinders in. Tyler Flinders soon got on base through an error. Whitely kept it from doing any damage, for he grounded out Reynolds, retiring the Cavemen to the field.

For the bottom of the third, Rhett Rickanbach and Caldwell each singled off Tonks. On one out, Bonnett singled both Vikings in. With Starr singling in Bonnett, the Vikings were well on their way to having the game end early. The Cavemen didn't let the Viking rally last long. Mo Flinders picked off a Rockhill fly ball, and Tonks struck out Dahl to end the inning.

At the start of the fourth, Blackhurst singled into center, and a Tonks double moved him to third. Blackhurst came home on a passed ball, and Zach Robinson's sacrifice groundout scored Tonks. Dahl didn't permit any more American Fork runs after the fourth, even though he did give up a seventh-inning single to Tonks.

Hit by Peterson in the bottom of the fifth, a center-field double quickly resulted in Pleasant Grove loading the bases on one out. After reliever Wright had struck out Sefa Tonai, a Dahl walk scored Peterson. The reliever retaliated by striking out Cardon.

On one out in the sixth's lower half, Caldwell singled into left, and a Peterson sacrifice fly scored him for the last Viking run for the night.

American Fork Corey Clayton said, "I thought we hit the ball pretty good. We had a couple of bunts that helped produce runs for us. Our pitchers did pretty good. The difference was that they had hit four more balls into gaps than we did."

Timpanogos T-Pups Hand AF Cavebatters Biting Loss in July 14 Game
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In Scout League action at American Fork July 14, the Timpanogos Timberwolves, AKA the T-Pups, defeated the American Fork Cavemen 10-4.

Save for the bottom of the first, the T-Pups led the entire game as they pounded out eight hits against American Fork. Colton Edmunds produced the first Timpanogos hit when he singled in Tanner Perkins in the top of the first. On one out, a Hayden Wynn single loaded the bases. Pitcher Danny Bettis picked off Targan Herrod at second, then struck out Joe Didine to prevent a T-Pup rally in the inning.

In the bottom of the first, pitcher Edmunds walked leadoff hitter Kyle Russett. With B.J. Eldredge's single narrowly flying over the Timpanogos second baseman's glove, the Cavemen proceeded to take over the lead. Bettis singled in Russett and Eldredge. Timpanogos got even by turning up a double play. The Cavemen's 2-1 lead couldn't survive the second inning.

On one out in the top of the second, Austin "Bubba" Murray doubled Derrick Lamoreaux and Tanner. After the T-Pups had loaded the bases, Murray came home on a Herrod single.

Edmunds held American Fork scoreless from the second to the fifth. This allowed Timpanogos to build up a wide lead. On two outs in the fourth, a Perkins double moved Greer to third. Soon, Greer and Perkins each came home on a passed ball.

In the fifth's top half, Didine scored on an error, touching off a four-run rally. During it, Greer singled in two runs, and Lamoreaux came home on a passed ball.

American Fork came close to getting a rally going in the bottom of the fifth. As soon as the Cavemen had loaded the bases on one out that inning, a McKay Lewis sacrifice bunt scored Tyson Heaps. The chance for a rally collapsed when Edmunds picked off Bubba Tizinga at third.

Doubling into left in the top of the sixth, Wynn soon scored on an American Fork error at second. In the bottom of the sixth, Blake Brailsford singled in Eldredge, but Edmunds quickly shut the Cavemen down for the night.

Salem Hills Skyhawks Defeat AF Cavebatters 11-4 in July 16 Game
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly

AKA the Sky Tweeties, the Salem Hills Skyhawks defeated the American Fork Cavemen 11-4 in Scout League action in Salem July 16.

American Fork turned out to be its own worst enemy in the game, for in the bottom of the sixth, Caveman Coach Ralph Holding Sr. got into an argument with the plate umpire over the official's calling Nick Obray safe at home. The quarrel soon led to the umpire declaring the game over. Until then, American Fork did have a chance for rallying back into the game.

It opened with B.J. Eldredge singling into right. Blake Brailsford tripled him in, then came home on a Danny Bettis single.

Doubling into left during the bottom of the first, Josh Whitting soon scored on an error. Pitcher Bettis didn't let the Skyhawks make a tying run that inning.

Opening the second inning with a single, Austin Tidwell soon got picked off at second for a third out. The pickoff play enabled the Skyhawks to take over the game in the bottom of the inning. Singling into left, Sweeny soon scored the tying run on a passed ball. A balk called against Bettis permitted C.C. Christensen to come home for a go-ahead run.

The Cavemen regained the lead in the third. After Bubba Tizinga had singled on two outs, Brailsford doubled him in to tie the game at three. Bettis hit a one-run double to put the Cavemen ahead 4-3.

American Fork kept its lead intact until the bottom of the fourth when Ty Houghton's one-run single ignited a four-run rally for the Skyhawks. The rally climaxed with Christensen doubling in two runs.

In the bottom of the sixth, Kirk Haney scored on an error that sparked the three-run rally for Salem Hills. Had Holding's game-ending argument with the plate umpire not occurred, American Fork might have had a chance for rallying from behind in the seventh. Whether the Cavemen would be able to do that is something that will never be known.

Publisher's Column
News Story Becomes Personal When It Involves Folks Someone Knows
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

Before leaving to go cover a July 11 baseball game between the Lone Peak Knights, AKA Loners, and the Riverton Silverwolves, alias Silverpups, I saw in the Salt Lake Tribune a story about now former Lone Peak Seminary Principal Mike Pratt getting arrested for allegedly having an affair with a teenage girl. While I couldn't help but think how tragic it was, I never could imagine how it would impact me a few hours later.

After the Knights had come from behind to beat the Silverpups 11-10, I commenced walking back towards American Fork. Before I entered American Fork's corporate limits, a former Pleasant Grove Viking soccer player picked me up to take me the rest of the way to the UTA bus stop at Smith's.

At first, we shared information on what we were doing nowadays. I did not bring up the matter about the scandal Pratt had become involved in. However, the former Viking soccer player brought the subject up out of the blue. He told me that a younger sister of his was Pratt's alleged mistress. The young man proceeded to tell me of how the scandal finally came to light.

He said that for months his parents had suspected the affair had been going on. However, the girl's mother and father couldn't obtain any proof to confirm their suspicions.

"Yesterday, she finally admitted to us that the affair was going on," the young man told me.

"I am sorry to hear that," I said. "When this thing gets over, your sister is going to be needing a lot of counseling."

"True. This whole sorry deal is affecting, not only our family, but also Brother Pratt's. His wife and kids are going to catch a lot of heat, because of this. I feel sorry for the Pratts. I would hate to see Brother Pratt going to jail over this, but his fate is not for me to determine.

"There have already been lots of things said on the Internet about this. Bloggers are either coming down on the side of Brother Pratt or my sister. I do wish total strangers would keep their noses out of this. It's none of their business."

I quietly agreed with the young man that no total strangers should make any comments about it. I am still not going to come down either on the side of the girl or the ex-seminary principal. All I am going to say about it is that it has left two families affected permanently, and it has made clear to me that a news story involving personal acquaintances of mine is completely different than from one about folks who are complete strangers to me.

Baseball Rivalries

Timp Sports Weekly
July 14, 2009

Publisher's Message

For this week's issue, we look at big rivalries in summertime baseball. The stories touching on this time includes ones about a double header that the American Fork Cavemen played at Spanish Fork, the last three rounds of the AF-PG Colt League playoffs, a Lone Peak-Pleasant Grove varsity showdown, and a thrilling Lone Peak win over the the Riverton Silverwolves, AKA Silverpups. Let's get to those stories.

Dean Von Memmott
Publisher
deanmemmott@hotmail.com

SF Dons Sweep American Fork July 6 Doubleheader
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

For the Spanish Fork Dons had a gay old time on the night of July 6 as they defeated the American Fork Cavemen 10-0 and 10-1 in a Utah Baseball Academy League doubleheader played at Spanish Fork.

The doubleheader was one of several two-game affairs that the UBAL had scheduled for 17-under division play on July 6.

Posting six strikeouts in the first game, Spanish Fork pitcher Hayden Nielsen gave up only two hits. The Dons, on the other hand, cranked out 10 hits, which included six singles, three doubles, and a solo home run.

The game opened with Nielsen striking out Jake Blackhurst. The next batter, Ryan Draper singled into right. Before American Fork profit from Draper's hit, shortstop Matt Nelson turned up a double play. American Fork would not have another hit until the fourth's top half when Blackhurst shot a single into right.

In the bottom of the first, second baseman Zach Robinson grounded out leadoff batter Nelson. Dons Jarrett Jarvis and Kaden Porter retaliated by each slugging a single off pitcher Jeremy Reynolds. Porter's first-inning single scored Jarvis.

Even though Don Andy Perkins doubled off Reynolds in the bottom of the second, shortstop Kai Clayton turned up a double play that kept Spanish Fork's lead stuck at 1-0 that inning.

The third's bottom half opened with left fielder Nick Searle intercepting a Taylor Nelson fly ball. Jim Lengal singled off Reynolds, but a throw from catcher Derek Durfey put the Don out at second. Hitting an infield single, Matt Nelson gave the Dons golden chance to stretch their lead. Jarvis homered Nelson in, setting the stage for American Fork's doom the next inning. Right after the home run, Dallas Smith singled into left. Searle picked off a Porter fly ball to retire the Dons to the field.

With American Fork unable to get anywhere with Blackhurst's single, the Dons proceeded to destroy the Cavemen in the bottom of the fourth. It opened with Don Trevor Reynolds doubling off reliever Clayton. The Spanish Fork player soon stole home. A short time later, Hayden Nelson hit a one-run single that ignited a seven-run rally. During it, Matt Nelson and Smith each singled in two runs. Porter hit a one-run double that caused the game to be called in the fifth.

The second game opened with Blackhurst singling into right. Draper's sacrifice groundout permitted Blackhurst to score a run. It turned out to be the only run that the Cavemen could make in the game.

On out in the bottom of the inning, Jarrett tripled into center, then stole home. The next inning, Porter hit a solo home run over the center field fence. In the fourth. Lengal's two-run single put the game away for Spanish Fork.


Lehi Red Sox Flood Away AF Cardinals in AF-PG Colt League Playoff Action July 7
By Dean Von Memmott
Sports Correspondent

The Lehi Red Sox had much to croak about July 7 as they washed away the American Fork Cardinals 9-5 in American Fork-Pleasant Grove League playoff action at American Fork's Rotary Park.

Lehi Coach Troy Street said, "Our guys did hit the ball really good. I wasn't impressed with our defense, though, we made some errors. Our offensive effort was what won us the game tonight."

In the top of the first, American Fork pitcher Devyn Anderson had trouble with keeping the Red Sox in check. The pitcher let Lehi row ahead 2-0 through giving up singles to Tyson Bringhurst, Levi Steet, Brady Page, Colton Fraughton, and Jake Miller. Anderson's fielders managed to shut Lehi down briefly through grounding out Cash Stewart and Jeremy Holland.

American Fork didn't let the first inning end with Lehi still ahead. In the bottom of the first, leadoff Cardinal hitter C.J. Miller singled into left, and he moved his way around to third. Singling into left on two outs, Taison Smith soon stole second while Miller sneak into home plate. Tyler Romney singled Smith in for the tying run.

Despite a single from Miller in the second, the game stayed tied at 2-2 until the top of the third. As soon as Page had smashed a one-out triple into left, Fraughton homered him in. Lehi held American Fork scoreless in the third, fourth, and fifth. The Red Sox's defensive effort permitted them to build upon their advantage. In the fourth, Lehi loaded the bases on two outs, and Jaden Webb stole home, touching off a brief three-run rally, generated by walks and two errors.

Singling in the top of the fifth, Stewart came home on a passed ball right after Mitch Jensen had struck out.

Hitting a one-out double off reliever Skyler Davis in the top of the sixth, Street scored the last Lehi run on an error at third.

In the bottom of the sixth, American Fork attempted to make a comeback. On one out, Miller homered in Davis and Isaac Jones. Page took over the mound right afterwards and shut the Cardinals down for the rest of the game.

Though the loss eliminated the Cardinals from the tournament, they were not done for the summer. Also, American Leagion team, they would continue playing for the rest of this month. As for, the Red Sox went on to play the Lehi Pirate for the right to challenge the American Fork Cubs for the AF-PG Colt League championship.

Lehi Red Sox Sink Lehi Pirates 13-6 In AF-PG Colt League Playoffs July 8
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

By sinking the Lehi Pirates 13-6 in the July 8 game of the American Fork-Pleasant Grove Colt League playoffs, the Lehi Red Sox won the right to play the American Fork Cubs for the league championship July 9.

Neither of the two Lehi teams could score during the game's first 1 1/2 innings. In fact, during the first inning, neither the Pirates nor the Red Sox could put any runners on base. During the bottom of the second, though, a Cash Stewart, center-field double quickly resulted in the Red Sox loading the gases on two outs. With a Matt Gowens walk scoring Stewart, the Red Sox went on a four-run rally, highlighted by Gowens and Matt Kirkham coming home on an error.

In top of the third, the Pirates loaded the bases on two outs. Zach Fenton scored the first Pirate run on a passed ball. Pitcher Brady Page didn't let the Pirates make any more runs that inning.
During the bottom of it, Page hit a two-run double to spark another four-run rally for the Red Sox. Colton Fraughton singled in another two runs to leave the Red Sox with an 8-1 advantage at the end of the inning.

With Fenton's two-out single loading the bases in the top of the fourth, the Pirates went on a scoring run, triggered by Kenny Peters' coming home on a passed ball. Nick Johnson hit a three-run in-the-park homer, putting the Pirates within 8-4. Bosten Page smacked a center-field double, and he stole home for what turned out to be the Pirates' last run.

In the bottom of the fourth, Jaden Webb's three-run homer opened a five-run rally for the Red Sox. That rally put the game away for the Red Sox.

AF Cubs Edge Past Lehi Red Sox 11-10 To Win AF-PG Colt League Pennant
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

Played at American Fork's Rotary Park July 9, the American Fork-Pleasant Grove Colt League championship game was not for a state pennant. Nevertheless, it still showed all the excitement found in close state high school baseball championship games.

For one thing, it featured the American Fork Cubs and Lehi Red Sox, whose high schools have been longtime rivals. As if they were playing as American Fork Cavemen and Lehi Pioneers, both teams showed an intensity that kept the game's storyline unpredictable until the final pitch in the seventh inning. It ended with American Fork winning 11-10 over Lehi.

American Fork Coach Clark Taylor said, "We came in and hit the ball very well. We played really good defense. We went undefeated through the tournament. Jim Davis pitched his best game tonight. He doesn't put very many people on base, and he has a good solid backup from his fielders. Tonight leaves with a second straight Colt League championship."

For Davis, the July 9 game was in so many words a realization of his dream of throwing in a championship game. He had aspired to play in this year's state 5-A baseball tournament, but the American Fork Cavemen couldn't win their region's third seed for post-season play. So as a graduating senior, he had to settle for a chance to pitch in the AF-PG Colt League championship game. Throwing all seven innings in that contest, he posted four strikeouts.

The game opened with Lehi's Tyson Bringhurst singling off Davis. A Brady Page sacrifice groundout scored Bringhurst. Singling into left, Colton Fraughton scored the next Lehi run on an error. Lehi's 2-0 lead couldn't survive the first inning.

Known only as Aki, American Fork's leadoff batter, smacked a left-fielder double, and he soon zipped to third. Kaden McMurtrey singled him in. After Caden Taylor's sacrifice fly had scored McMurtrey, Davis doubled in two runs to put American Fork ahead 4-2.

With Davis striking out of the three batters that Lehi sent against him in the second, the Red Sox couldn't put anyone on base that inning. On one out, Aki hit another left-field double, and he scored on an error at first. After McMurtrey had hit a two-out single, pitcher Bringhurst struck out Taylor to shut American Fork down.

In the third, Lehi pulled within 5-4 through one-run doubles hit by Brady Page and Colton Fraughton. On two outs in the bottom of the third, Ryan Hudson singled into left, then stole second. He attempted to advance to third on a Taylor Tonks single, but beat it back to second the moment the Red Sox had cut off his path. The Lehi defense kept Hudson and Tonks stuck on base.

On two outs the next inning, Garrett Kirkham singled in Jaden Webb and Jeremy Holland to put Lehi ahead 6-5. Second baseman Taylor picked off a Wade McAllister fly ball to keep Lehi from improving upon its lead.

Aki singled in the bottom of the fourth, only to get picked off at at. The pickoff didn't stop a Logan Whittaker single from moving Kyler Houston into scoring position. Taylor singled Houston in to tie the game at six. Lehi kept American Fork from breaking the 6-6 tie, though.

Capitalizing on a fifth-inning, American Fork error at first, Fraughton doubled Page in, and then came home via a McAllister single. Lehi couldn't build upon its 8-6 lead. With Cub Braden Schneider hitting a baseline single to third during the start of the fifth's lower half, the momentum tipped back to American Fork's favor. On one out, Taylor singled into left, and he followed Schneider home during a passed ball, tying the game at eight. Hitting his third double for the night, Aki scored a tie-breaking run on a Lehi error. The Red Sox shut American Fork down briefly soon afterwards.

Despite a one-out, Webb single in the top of the sixth, American Fork quickly dried up Lehi's chance to catch up that inning. Relieving Bringhurst in the bottom of the sixth, Wade McAllister got didn't let any Cubs make any hits, because shortstop Fraughton grounding out two straight American Forkers.

In the seventh, Bringhurst and Levi Street each singled into left field. With Davis striking out Page and right fielder Schneider catching a Fraughton fly ball, Lehi appeared done for. That prospect grew stronger as McAllister drew a 3-2 count. Suddenly, the batter whacked a two-run double that tipped Lehi back out in front 10-9. First baseman Tonks' catch of a Josh Miller pop fly didn't bring the Cubs much comfort. They had to battle to maintain their composure in face of a pumped-up Lehi defense.

The bottom of the seventh opened with Schneider singling into center. After McAllister had walked Hudson, the momentum swung back to the Cubs' favor. Tonks doubled in Schneider to tie the game at 10. In response, McAllister struck out Jake Miller, but quickly found himself against Aki, who had so far been batting .1000 for the night. McAllister posted a 1-1 count against the batter. Suddenly on the third pitch, Aki singled Hudson in for the winning run!

Even though the win went down as another golden moment for American Fork, it left Lehi hungry for another chance to take on its arch rival another day.

Lone Peak Knights Take Down Ferocious PG Vikings 7-5 in UBAL Game July 10
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

Alias the Loners, the Lone Peak Knights produced a 7-5 win at home against the Ferocious Pleasant Grove Vikings during Utah Baseball Academy League action at Lone Peak July 10.

Even though Lone Peak did take a 4-0 lead in the first two innings, the contest turned out to be a tight one as the two teams showed much intensity through the passage the night.

A 17-under division game for the UBAL, the showdown opened with Knight pitcher Bradyen Matheson striking out Jesse De St. Jour and Jordan Estaban. Soon after Court Iorg had grounded out, Lone Peak proceeded to build its 4-0 lead. In the bottom of the first, Matt Oakman doubled into center, and he soon scored on Travis Thomas' sacrifice groundout.

In the bottom of the next inning, Keeann Norman scored on a Tyson Harris sacrifice fly to start a three-run rally for Lone Peak.

The third opened with Steve Rockhill hitting an infield single for the first Viking hit of the game. Tonai Sefa singled Rockhill in, and Rhett Rickanbach stole home to put Pleasant Grove within 4-2.

By holding the Knights scoreless in the bottom of the third, the Vikings proceeded to catch up with them in the top of the fourth. On one fourth-inning out, Brock Starr hit a left-field double that resulted in the Vikings' loading the bases. Rockhill smashed a two-run single that tied the game at four, but he got put out at second, costing Pleasant Grove the momentum it needed so disparately.

In the bottom of the fourth, Harris singled in Ryan "Mac" McPherson to start a three-run rally for Lone Peak. Singles from Oakman and Jed Goeckeritz enabled Lone Peak to load the base, and Matheson batted in two runs. Soon though, third baseman Starr turned up a double play that shut down the rally.

Even though Sefa slugged a single in the fifth, the Vikings couldn't bounce back that inning. Still, through reliever Jake Barnhardt's pitching, they did not let any Knights get on base in the fifth's bottom half.

On one out in the sixth, Starr doubled in Kyler Harmon, but the Knights kept him stuck on base. Matheson didn't let Pleasant Grove make any more runs in the game.

On two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Oakman singled into center, permitting the Knights to load the bases. However, first baseman Sefa snatched a Thomas pop fly, averting a rally.

Pleasant Grove Coach Tyler Eastman said, "We played really good defense, and we made only one error. We put some young kids, so they could get a feel of playing varsity. They're going to be sophomores this year. We had two of them pitch. We made six hits, and they [Lone Peak] made six hits. We just didn't hit the ball like we usually would do."

Knight 16-U Division Team Survive Close UBAL Game Against Riverton Silverpups July 11
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

Nicknamed the Loners by their arch rivals, the American Fork Cavemen, the Lone Peak Knights came out with a 9-8 win at home during Utah Baseball Academy League action July 11 against the Riverton Silverwolves, AKA the Silverpups.

With both teams battling for high seeding in the UBAL's 16-under division's post-season tournament, the July 11 contest saw three switches in the lead.

Riverton secured the first lead when Scotty Bottom singled in Brayden Crook in the top of the first. Pitcher Tanner Jensen didn't let the Silverpups make any more runs that inning.

After Riverton had grounded out Carson Kelshaw and Hunter Trowbridge in the bottom of the first, Micah Hannemann singled into left, then advanced into scoring position via a Jensen single. Hannemann stole home to cause the inning to end in a 1-1 tie.

Jensen didn't let Riverton get anywhere with B.J. Newman's left-field single in the top of the second, and that Silverwolf ended up getting stuck at second.

During the bottom of the second, one-run singles from Ryan Morin and Dave Matthews tipped the Knights ahead 3-1. In the third, Cam Gust's one-run single clipped the lead to 3-2. Riverton responded by slugging Lone Peak with a double play that ended the inning.

Despite producing an error in the fourth, the Knights produced a double play that prevented the Silverwolves from capitalizing on a Dalton Newbold single. In the fourth's lower half, another Riverton double play reminded Lone Peak that it still had a long way to go to tame the Silverpups.

With a Bottom single resulting in Riverton loading the bases on one out in the fifth, Lone Peak soon lost the lead. Brayden Larson doubled in two runs to put Riverton ahead 4-3. The Silverwolves soon scored a third fifth-inning run on a Newman sacrifice groundout.

Lone Peak produced a four-run rally of its own in the bottom of the fifth. Singles from Nate Orurmette and Carson Kelshaw permitted the Knights to load the bases on one out. Micah Hannemann singled in two runs to tie the game at five. Jensen singled in a tie-breaking run, and Hannemann stole home on two outs.

The Knights maintained their 7-5 lead until the seventh. The inning opened with Ourmette playing relief pitcher. However, as soon as Larson had hit a one-run double off him, Ourmette got replaced on the mound by Miah Van Dyke, no relation to Hollywood actor Dick Van Dyke. The pitching change didn't stop Crook from hitting a two-run single which put the Silverwolves ahead 8-7. Only after Brody Nokes had popped out to a Lone Peak shortstop did the Riverton rally finally collapse.

Trowbridge's one-out single enabled the Knights to load the bases in bottom of the inning. A Cody Harris walk brought Trowbridge in for the tying run. Van Dyke's right-field sacrifice fly scored Hannemann for the winning run.

Lehi-Timpanogos Baseball Showdown

Timp Sports Weekly
July 7, 2009

Publisher's Message

For this issue's cover story, we look at a tight summer baseball game between the Lehi Pioneers and the Timpanogos Timberwolves, AKA the T-Pups. We also look at a reminder about small schools being able to hold their own against 5-A baseball teams, a battle for survival in the American Fork-Pleasant Grove Colt League playoffs, and an American Legion doubleheader that showed showed the impressive firepower of the Grantsville Cowboys . Let us get to those accounts.

Dean Von Memmott
Publisher
deanmemmott@hotmail.com

Lehi Hops Home With 8-7 Win Over T-Pups in Varsity League Baseball Action
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

Under a new head coach, the Lehi Pioneers rowed home with a 8-7 win that they had posted on the Orem-based diamond of the Timpanogos Timberwolves, AKA the T-Pups, July 1.

Recently appointed to coach the Lehi baseball program, Jason Flinders said, "We put the ball in play a lot, and they posted only two strikeouts against us. When we draw that many K's, we're bound to be able to win against a team like Timpanogos. Also, our pitching was really good tonight."

Pitching for the first six innings, Pioneer Bronson Anderson stuck out eight T-Pups. Taking over at the mound in the bottom of the seventh, Lehi reliever Kaidyn Longman struck out three straight Timpanogos batters to put the game away for the Pioneers.

Lehi got on the board first. During the top of the opening inning, Timpanogos pitcher Jensen Nelson walked leadoff batter T.J. Russon. After Palmer Page had grounded out, Anderson singled Russon in, then moved to third on a Rem Worthen double. Trevor Jeppson singled Anderson and Worthen.

The bottom of the first opened with Colton Laird hitting a left-field double off Anderson. After shortstop Page had grounded out Kendall Cloward, J.D. Ashman homered Laird in. Before the T-Pups could tie the game, second baseman Longman snatched a Nelson line fly, and Anderson stuck out Davey McAllister.

The pitching duel between Anderson and Nelson kept the score stuck at 3-2 until the top of the third until a Jeppson sacrifice fly had scored Anderson.

With Lehi unable to put any players on base during the fourth, Timpanogos finally caught up with the Pioneers in the bottom of the inning. Getting on base through an infield error in the fourth, Ashman came home on a McAllister double. Jason Fullmer doubled McAllister in to tie the game at four.

In the fifth, Lehi managed to load the bases on two outs, but the Timberwolves grounded out Tyson Bringhurst to retire the Pioneers to the field before they could stroke ahead again. With Anderson striking out two T-Pups in the bottom of the fifth, third baseman Jeppson grounded out Joe Dilldine to keep Timpanogos from pulling ahead.

Lehi finally regained the lead in the top of the sixth. On two outs that inning, Page doubled in Andy Paul and Russon to give Lehi a 6-4 lead. Page attempted to score a run himself, but he got forced out at home.

Timpanogos undid Page's handiwork in the bottom of the sixth. During its lower half, Nelson singled in a run, and on two outs, McAllister tripled in two fellow T-Pups to put Timpanogos ahead 7-6.

The seventh opened with Rem Worthen hitting a solo homer to tie the game at seven. The next batter, Jeppson smacked an infield single, and Bringhurst singled him in for what turned out to be the winning run.

Juan Diego Soaring Eagles Bomb AF 10-0 in 17-Under Division Play
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

Although a 3-A team, the Juan Diego Soaring Eagles swooped into American Fork June 29 and bombed the American Fork Cavemen 10-0 during a 17-under division game for the Utah Baseball Academy.

Don't ever expect American Fork Coach Jarod Ingersoll ever to say anything positive about the June 29 game. It was to him what Little Bighorn was to Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer: a debacle.

After American Fork pitcher Kyle Wright had held Juan Diego scoreless in the first inning, the game proceeded to go downhill for the Cavemen when leadoff hitter Jeremy Reynolds got picked off at first after he had singled on off pitcher Udell Kata. The pitcher struck out Ryan Draper and Ty Flinders to set the stage for Juan Diego's takeover of the game.

AKA the Vicious Tweeties, the Soaring Eagles went on a scoring rally in the second inning. On two outs, Mark "Don't Call Me Freddie" Kruger tripled in Corby Quintana to begin a six-run rally, which saw Kody Davis bash a three-run triple.

With the Cavemen holding Juan Diego scoreless in the third, they attempted to stage a comeback on Zach Robinson's left-field single. However, Derek Durfey hit into a double play.

In the top of the fourth, Joe Kirch singled in a run, then scored a run himself. Luke West hit a two-out, two-run triple to put the score at 10-0. American Fork didn't let Juan Diego score any more runs in the seven-inning contest, because of efforts like shortstop Flinders' seventh-inning double play.

A Colton Whatcott single moved Morgan "Mo" Flinders into scoring position during the bottom of the fourth, but the Cavemen couldn't bring in any runs. Kata kept them scoreless for the entire game as threw a three-hitter against them.

AF Dodgers Outlast PG Angels in Colt League Playoff Action
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

In a one-loss bracket game at American Fork's Rotary Park June 30, the American Fork Dodgers outlasted the Pleasant Grove Angels 5-4 to stay alive in the AF-PG Colt League playoffs.

Angel pitchers Riley Smith and Johnny Burtonheld American Fork scoreless for fourof the game's five innings. Nevertheless, the third inning was still when the Dodgers delivered the fatal blow to the Angels.

In the bottom of the first, Angel Tanner Johnson singled in Zach Williams. American Fork pitcher Cam Waite didn't let the Angels make any more runs until the bottom of the third.

In the top of that inning, the Dodgers loaded the bases on no outs. After a Camo Buck walk had scored a run, Waite hit a three-run triple, then came home on a passed ball. Replacing Smith had the mound, Burton struck out Austin Pritchet.

Walked by Waite in the bottom of the third, Josh Aroyko came home on a passed ball. The next inning, he tripled in two runs on two outs, but American Fork confined him to pass.

Waite posted nine strikeouts during the course of the night.

Grantsville Hogties AF Cardinals In Both Ends American Legion Doubleheader
By Dean Von Memmott
Timp Sports Weekly Publisher

AKA the Goat Ropers, the Grantsville Cowboys hogtied the American Fork Cardinals in both ends of an American Legion doubleheaders played at American Fork's Rotary Park July 2. Stacked with big guns, Grantsville won by scores of 10-9 and 12-8.

In the first game's opening inning, American Fork and Grantsville battled to a 1-1 tie. The Cowboys trotted ahead 5-1 during the next 2 1/2 innings. Grantville demonstrated its immense firepower in the top of the fourth when Taylor Matthews blasted the inning open with a right-field double. It paved the way for a three-run rally that the Cowboys staged in the fourth.

The Cardinals battled their way back into the game, though, through staging a four-run rally in the bottom of the fourth. Taison Smith opened the rally by singling in Mat "Lugnut" Ludlow. As soon as American Fork had loaded the bases on two outs, Regan Grossgebauer hit a three-run double to tie the game at five.

Grantsville almost broke the 5-5 tie when Lincoln "Bulls Eye" Kelley fired a two-out triple into right. American Fork Devyn Anderson grounded out Kelby Fisher before Kelley could come home.

Hitting a one-out single in the bottom of the fifth, Isaac Jones came home on a Devyn Anderson triple, which opened a four-run rally for the Cardinals. While Tyler Romney and and Ludlow each singled in a fifth-inning run, Smith highlighted the rally by whacking a one-run double.

The Cardinals' 9-5 lead quickly proved to be not a thick enough cushion to keep the Cowboys from catching up with them. As soon as the Cowboys had loaded the bases on one out in the sixth, Andy Nelson hit an in-the-park grand slam that tied the game at nine. Anderson walked the two next batters, and Kelby Fisher hit a tie-breaking one-run single. Despite a single from Grossgebauer in the bottom of the sixth, the Cowboys contained the Cardinals.

Grantsville attempted to generate insurance runs from Bridger Boman's one-out double in the seventh, but Kurt Fonger hit into a double play. Grantsville belted American Fork with a double play in the seventh, and pitcher Nelson struck out Jordan "Salty" Saltmarsh to end the game.

In the second game, American Fork didn't let the Cowboys go anywhere with leadoff batter Tyson Hutchins' first-inning single. Kort Fonger and Nelson both struck out while Cowboy Jake Campbell grounded out.

With one out in the bottom of the first, Ludlow hit a solo homer off pitrcher Jeff Hunt. Although Saltmarsh contributed a single right afterwards, Grantsville kept American Fork's lead stuck at 1-0 during the inning.

The next inning, Kelley tripled in Matthews, then came home on a Dalen Erickson single to put the Cowboys ahead 2-1. The Cardinals regained the lead before the end of the second. In its bottom half, singles from Jim Davis and Matt Finn moved Tyler Roberts to third. Skylar Davis singled Roberts in, and Jim Davis soon stole home to put American Fork back ahead 3-2.

Hunt held American Fork scoreless during the next three innings. Hunt's work gave the Cowboys the momentum they needed to establish domination in the game. In the third, Campbell doubled in Nelson, then came home on a Fisher single to put Grantsville ahead 4-3.

After Fonger had stolen home in the fourth, Matthews whacked a two-run single that American Fork had trouble recovering from. In the fifth, Fonger and Nelson each singled in a run, giving the impression that the game could be over by the sixth. After Hutchins had hit a two-run single to put the score at 12-3 in the sixth, the Cardinal defense shut Grantsville down.

In the bottom of the sixth, Jim Davis singled in Romney, only to get put out at second. The putout kept the Cardinals from staging a rally. American Fork went on a scoring spree in the bottom of the final inning, though. After the Cardinals had prevented the Cowboys from profitting from Drew Sutton's seventh-inning single, Saltmarsh doubled in Finn and Skylar Davis. On two outs, Smith homered in Saltmarsh, but Hunt got even by stiking out Romney to end the game.